Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Care for GLP-1/Ozempic Users

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

GLP-1 & Ozempic Weight Loss Drugs and Your Feet: What Podiatrists Are Seeing

By Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM | Updated March 2026

Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have changed the weight loss landscape dramatically. Millions of patients are losing 15-25% of body weight rapidly — and their feet are changing with them. As a podiatrist, I’m seeing a new wave of foot complaints from GLP-1 users that most people aren’t warned about. Here’s what’s happening and what to do about it.

Why Weight Loss Changes Your Feet

Arch mechanics shift with weight loss. When patients carry significant extra weight, their arches flatten progressively under the load. As GLP-1 users lose 50-100 lbs, their arch mechanics change — sometimes the arch partially recovers, creating a different biomechanical profile than before. The insoles and shoes that fit before weight loss may not fit after.

Fat pad atrophy from rapid weight loss. The fat pads under the heel and ball of foot serve as natural shock absorbers. Rapid weight loss can thin these pads faster than gradual weight loss — reducing the foot’s natural cushioning and causing new pain where there was none before.

Muscle loss affects foot stability. GLP-1 drugs cause both fat and muscle loss. Intrinsic foot muscles and lower leg muscles that provide arch dynamic support become weaker with muscle mass reduction — increasing arch collapse risk even as overall weight decreases.

Nutrient deficiency and peripheral neuropathy. GLP-1 drugs reduce appetite dramatically. Many patients don’t consume adequate B12, D3, and magnesium — all critical for nerve health. B12 deficiency specifically causes peripheral neuropathy: numbness, tingling, and burning in the feet.

The New Foot Care Plan for GLP-1 Users

🥇 Reassess your insoles every 25-30 lbs lost. As your arch mechanics change with weight loss, your current insoles may no longer fit correctly. PowerStep and Curex both offer different arch heights that can be matched to your changing foot profile. [AFFILIATE LINK — PowerStep Pinnacle] [AFFILIATE LINK — Curex]

🥈 Add supplemental cushioning for fat pad thinning. Metatarsal pads and cushioned heel inserts address the new forefoot and heel pain that emerges with fat pad reduction. These complement orthotic arch support.

🥉 Supplement for nerve health. B12 (methylcobalamin form preferred), D3, and magnesium glycinate are the three supplements most relevant to GLP-1-related foot nerve symptoms. Discuss with your prescribing physician.

When to See a Podiatrist

If you’re on a GLP-1 drug and develop: new foot or heel pain, numbness or tingling in your feet, or notice your shoes fitting differently — book a foot evaluation. The sooner foot changes are assessed, the easier they are to manage. GLP-1 user with new foot pain? Schedule an evaluation

FAQ

Does Ozempic directly cause foot pain? Not directly — but the metabolic changes (weight loss, muscle loss, reduced nutrient absorption) create conditions that cause foot pain. Will my flat feet improve with weight loss? Partially — but structural flat foot deformity doesn’t fully reverse with weight loss. New orthotic fitting after significant weight loss is recommended. Learn about custom orthotics

Expert Podiatric Care for Michigan Patients

Michigan patients dealing with foot and ankle problems benefit from evaluation by a board-certified podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment plan — rather than relying on symptom management alone. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we combine clinical examination, advanced imaging when indicated, and a comprehensive understanding of foot biomechanics to identify the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms and design a treatment plan that addresses it. Our podiatrists are fellowship-trained in foot and ankle surgery and provide the full spectrum of care — from conservative treatment and custom orthotics to minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery. Michigan patients can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 for same-week appointments at our Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208) locations.

Michigan patients experiencing foot or ankle problems can schedule an appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle — with locations in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.

Expert Podiatric Care for Michigan Patients

Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

Michigan patients dealing with foot and ankle problems benefit from evaluation by a board-certified podiatrist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment plan — rather than relying on symptom management alone. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we combine clinical examination, advanced imaging when indicated, and a comprehensive understanding of foot biomechanics to identify the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms and design a treatment plan that addresses it. Our podiatrists are fellowship-trained in foot and ankle surgery and provide the full spectrum of care — from conservative treatment and custom orthotics to minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery. Michigan patients can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 for same-week appointments at our Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208) locations.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for foot care

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we use with patients.

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Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)

If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.

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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.